Artist: Various ArtistsTitle: Bad Boy’s 10th Anniversary…The HitsRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Rahiem Shabazz
Bad Boy Records does it again assimilating some of the 90’s top selling singles from the infamous label’s roster into a collector’s item with the release of Bad Boy’s 10th Anniversary…The Hits. The first song “Victory 2004” features G-Unit’s hungry rhyme slayer, Lloyd Banks with his cohort 50 Cent. Their lyrics compliment the track perfectly. Many will remember Banks standout lyrics from the mix-tape circuit but it takes on a whole new meaning when placed besides the legendary Mr. Wallace.
If you were looking for a remixed CD filled with the best of Bad Boy then you picked up the wrong CD. But, don’t fret the “Flava In Ya Ear (remix) will bring you back to the days when doing a remix meant something. The Craig Mack song-featuring Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Rampage-set up Bad Boy Records as a company to be reckoned with which is still evident 10 years later. Biggie stole the show with his memorable first 4 bars, “N##### is mad I get more butt than ash trays/F### a fair one I get mines the fast way/The ski mask way…/Ransom notes/Far from handsome/but damn a n#### tote…”
Songs like “Hypnotize” and “Big Poppa” are jewels from the Bad Boy dynasty certify Biggie as the prime ambassador and the King of New York during his brief recording career. Black Rob’s “Whoa” catches ears with the innovative Buckwild produced single from his slept on album. Several collaboration tracks such as “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems (featuring B.I.G., Ma$e and P.Diddy),” “I Need A Girl Part 2 (featuring Loons, Ginuwine and Mario Winans),” “All About The Benjamins (featuring P.Diddy, B.I.G., The Lox and Lil Kim)” are contained in this bonus packed collector’s edition. The stand out track throughout the CD is the never heard track from Ma$e, “I Ain’t No Killer”. Die hard Ma$e fans will love this track which shows why Mr. Betha will always be recognized as one of Bad Boys stand out acts.
Packaged with the initial release of the
10th Anniversary Bad Boy CD is a bonus DVD disc worth the purchase price in it’s own right. The DVD is a inside look of the cinematic side to the Bad Boy empire showcasing video that are not included in the audio version of the CD. It’s been ten years and Bad Boy still hasn’t stopped.
